Amalgam dispenser and packer

ABSTRACT

18. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, A HOUSING, AN AMALGAM CONTAINING CARTRIDGE MOUNTED ON THE FORWARD END OF SAID HOUSING, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL RECEIVER CHAMBER REMOVABLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CARTRIDGE, MEANS FOR EXPELLING AMALGAM FROM SAID CARTRIDGE INTO SAID RECEIVER CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR EJECTING AMALGAM FROM SAID RECEIVER CHAMBER, SAID EJECTING MEANS INCLUDING A PACKER MEMBER REMOVABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECEIVER CHAMBER AND HAVING A TIP PROJECTABLE BEYOND SAID RECEIVER CHAMBER INTO OPERATIVE POSITION FOR PACKING.

United States Patent [191 June 18, 1974 Thiel et al.

[ AMALGAM DISPENSER AND PACKER [76] Inventors: Charles J. Thiel, 625Sixth Ave.;

Louis J. Michaels, 1210 Sixth Ave., both of Dayton, Ky. 41074 [22]Filed: May 28, 1962 [21] Appl. No.: 198,185

[52] U.S. Cl 32/51, 32/54, 32/56, 32/60 [51] Int. Cl. A61c 3/08 [58]Field of Search 32/60, 56, 53-54, 32/58, 26, 27, 40, 51; 128/218 P [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 452,665 5/1891 Dibble 32/56532,720 l/l895 Dennis 32/51 1,326,089 12/1919 Payne 32/51 2,592,3814/1952 Blackman 128/218 P 2,696,670 12/1954 Thurman 32/60 2,837,8246/1958 Moller 32/60 3,028,672 4/1962 Zandberg r 32/60 3,088,207 5/1963Borsuk 32/60 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 309,333 4/1929 GreatBritain 32/60 Primary Examinerl.,awrence W. Trapp Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Woocl, Herron & Evans EXEMPLARY CLAIM 18. A combined dispenser andpacker for amalgam comprising,

a housing, I an amalgam containing cartridge mounted on the forward endof said housing, a generally cylindrical receiver chamber removablymounted adjacent said cartridge, means for expelling amalgam from saidcartridge into said receiver chamber, and means for ejecting amalgamfrom said receiver chamber, said ejecting means including a packermember removably mounted in said receiver chamber and having a tipprojectable beyond said receiver chamber into operative position forpacking.

20 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures INVENTO 1 AMALGAM DISPENSER AND PACKERThis invention relates to amalgam dispenser and packer.

In the practice of dentistry one of the most tedious of all theclentists functions is that of filling teeth. The difficulty resideslargely in the physical characteristics of the amalgam. The amalgam, bynature, is a very difficult substance with which to work. It is neitherfluid nor solid in its working state, but rather is a plastic mixture ofsilver and mercury, the mixture having one characteristic of settingvery rapidly. The rapid setting is important for it would be mostundesirable to require a patient to sit for a long period of time withhis mouth open while a less rapidly setting material is permitted toset.

The rapid setting of the amalgam however has its disadvantages, for thedentist is given only a short period of time between the mixing of theamalgam and the filling of the tooth to perform the required operations.If he takes too long the amalgam will tend to set and, when introducedto a cavity, will not properly fill the crevices in the tooth and willnot properly adhere to amalgam previously introduced.

The speed and facility with which the dentist can fill a tooth has beenhindered by a lack of proper equipment. A dentist normally uses anassistant who mixes the mercury and silver to prepare the amalgam andthen, using two amalgam dispensers, fills one dispenser while thedentist is discharging the amalgam into the tooth cavity from the seconddispenser. When the dentist has put a charge of amalgam into the cavityhe uses either a manual packer or mechanically vibrated packer todistribute the amalgam properly into the cavity. A dentist who uses amechanically vibrating packer may also use a hand packer for certainphases of the filling operation. Having packed a charge of amalgam intothe tooth and receives the alternate dispenser, now filled, from hisassistant and performs the same operation of filling and packing, withas many as three or four separate instruments being involved.

It has been an objective of the present invention to provide a combineddispenser and packer which may be loaded with a charge of amalgamprepared in accor' dance with our co-pending application Ser. No.145,878 filed Oct. 18, 1961 and now US. Pat. No. 3,222,037. Inaccordance with the present invention, once the amalgam has been placedin the dispenser packer of the present invention, all of the operationsrequired in the fill of the tooth may be performed by the same toolwhich never leaves the dentists hand.

The advantages of the invention are many. Obviously, the time consumedin filling a tooth can be greatly reduced which not only lightens theburden on the dentist, but more important, greatly shortens the periodof discomfort of the patient. Additionally, the likelihood ofcontamination by saliva, blood or breath is greatly reduced because ofthe speed with which the tooth can be filled. Further, the dentalassistant is no longer required to be present during the fillingoperation.

It should be pointed out that more perfect restorations are formed whensmall portions of amalgam are introduced into the tooth and packed ascompared to restorations formed by the introduction of large amounts ofamalgam. Because of the nature of the amalgam, when large portions areinserted and packed,

the top layers become condensed without filling and packing theunderlining areas. Consequently voids remain in the tooth. On the otherhand, when small portions are introduced and packed the amalgam isproperly distributed in the cavity and the residual mercury comes to thetop of the filling and is removed by the packer. This results in aharder restoration and one which is free of undesirable voids.

It has been another objective of the invention to provide a combineddispenser and packer having a single operating lever the depressing ofwhich instigates three principal operations. In the first stage,depressing the lever expels a predetermined amount of amalgam from atubular cartridge into a receiving tube. In the second stage an ejectorpacker which is slidable in the receiving tube ejects the amalgam intothe tube while simultaneously wiping the receiving tube clean. In thethird stage of the operation, a vibratory motor is energized to permitsemi-automatic packing of the tooth. Preferably the vibratory motor ispneumatically operated to take advantage of the supply of air underpressure normally found with dental equipment. The motor can be renderedinoperative and the dispenser packer-used as a manual packer.

It has been still another objective of the invention to provide anejector-packer element found at its tip by a rubber cylinder surroundinga metallic core. The metallic core provides the packing action while theresilient or flow characteristics of the rubber operate to encloseamalgam within the cavity during the packing operation. The rubbercylinder or sleeve also aids in carrying the amalgam to the tooth andcleaning the receiver as the amalgam is discharged into the tooth.

These and other objectives of the invention will become more readilyapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevational views partly in section of the forward andrearward halves respectively of the invention showing the invention inits rest condition prior to operation;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are elevational views partly in section of the inventionof the forward and rearward portions respectively of the inventionillustrating the first stage of the operation;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevational views partly in section of the rearwardand forward endls respectively of the invention illustrating the secondstage of operation;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view partly in section of the forward end ofthe invention illustrating the operation of the motor;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of an ad justing knob for themotor; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevational views of alternative forms of theamalgam receiver.

Referring to FIG. 1 a dispenser 15 is illustrated having a rearwardtubular housing portion 16 forming a handle and a forward housingportion 17 which encloses a pneumatic motor. The forward portion 17 hasan opening 18 at the bottom thereof to receive a cartridge 19 of thetype described in our copending application Ser. No. 145,878 filed Oct.18, 1961 and now US. Pat. No. 3,22,037. The cartridge is secured to thehousing by a bifurcated spring clamp 20. The opening 18 also permits themanipulation of a control member on the motor to be described below.

At the forward end of the dispenser packer is a amalgam receiver 21 fromwhich amalgam is discharged into a tooth. Intermediate the ends of thedispenser packer is an operating lever 22 which is pivotally mounted ona pin 23 to a flange 24 depending from the tubular portion 16. Thedispenser packer has a fitting 25 at the rearward end thereof to whichis connected a hose 26, the other end of the hose being connected to asource of air under a pressure of to 40 psi, for example. A valve 27seated in the fitting controls the admission of air into the motor. Itshould be understood that the valve 27 does not necessarily have to beon the dispenser packer itself but rather could be at the source of airpressure or could be a foot pedal operated device.

A retracting lug 30 projects from the tubular portion 16 to withdraw aplunger by which amalgam is expelled into the receiver 21, as describedbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the details of the operating mechanismare shown in their rest condition, that is the condition which theynormally assume when the device is not in use. When in its properposition the cartridge 19 is axially aligned with the tubular portion 16in order to receive a co-axial plunger 32 which is movable in a forwarddirection to expel amalgam from the cartridge into the receiver 21. Atits rearward end the plunger 32 is enlarged to approximately the samediameter as the inside diameter of the tubular portion 16, the enlargedportion of the plunger being indicated at 33. The upper surface of theenlarged plunger portion 33 is notched to provide ratchet teeth 34 whichcooperate with a pawl 35.

The pawl 35 is pivotally mounted on a pin 36 on the upper end of adischarge lever 37 (one lever being mounted on each side of the device)the lower end of the discharge lever being pivoted as on a pin 38 to theflange 24. A spring 39 is fixed at one end 40 to the flange 24 and hasits other end 41 bearing against the discharge lever to urge it in aclockwise direction. As best shown in FIG. 5, a torsion spring 42 ismounted around the pivot pin 36 and fixed thereto at one end 43. Theother end 44 of the torsion spring bears against the pawl 35 to force itagainst ratchet teeth 34. As can be observed from FIG. 5 the pawl 35 ischannel shaped to receive the end 44 of the torsion spring.

An operating lever return spring 45 is secured to the operating leverpivot pin 23 and has one end 46 fixed to the flange 24, the other end 47bearing against a pin 48 in the operating lever to urge the operatinglever in a clockwise direction. The discharge lever 37 has an upperdischarge cam surface 50 and a lower dwell surface 51. These surfacescooperate with rollers 52 rotatably mounted on the operating lever 22(see also FIG.

An ejector lever 55 on each side of the device is pivoted on a pin 56fixed to a flange 24. A spring 57 is fixed at one end 58 to the flange24 and has its other end 59 bearing against the ejector lever to urge itin a clockwise direction. The upper end of the ejector lever isconnected by a pivot pin 60 to a rod 61 which operates an ejector packer62 which is slidably mounted in the receiver 21. A cam roller 63 mountedintermediate the ends of the ejector lever cooperates with cam plates 64(also shown in FIG. 4) mounted on the operating lever 22. The cam plate64 has an ejector cam surface 65 and a dwell cam surface 66 which aremovable into engagement with the roller 63.

The rod 61 is connected to the ejector packer 62 through a pneumaticmotor 70 and a ball crank lever 71. The rod 61 is threaded into therearward end 72 of the pneumatic motor housing 73. A piston rod 74projects from the other end of the motor housing and is connected by apivot pin 75 to one leg of the bell crank lever. Another leg of the bellcrank lever 76 is pivoted by a pin 77 to the forward portion 17. Thebell crank lever has a forward leg 78 which projects into a recess 79 inthe ejector packer. Forward movement of the rod 61 causes the bell cranklever to pivot counterclockwise thereby swinging the forward leg 78downwardly. The leg 78 carries with it the ejector packer until theejector packer projects below the receiver 21 into an operative, packingposition.

The pneumatic motor is connected to air under pressure by a flexiblehose 80 which is connected at its forward end 81 to a fitting 82, thefitting 82 being fixed in the motor housing 73 in alignment with aninlet passageway 84. The other end 85 of the hose is connected to a tube86 which is mounted in a recess 87 (see also FIG. 4) in the flange 24.The tube 86 is secured at its rearward end 88 to a fitting 89 forming apart of an inlet passageway 90 at the rearward end of the dispenserpacker. The inlet passageway 90 is in communication with a longitudinalbore 91 in the fitting 25 which is controlled by the on-off valve 27.

The pneumatic motor includes a piston 95 having an axial bore 96 incommunication with a power section 97 of a cylinder 98 formed by themotor housing. The axial bore 96 is connected to radial bores 100. Thehousing 70 has a pair of exhaust ports 101 which, when aligned withradial bores permit the exhaust of air from the power section 97 of thecylinder 98.

The piston is urged toward the right as viewed in FIG. 2 by acompression spring 102 which bears at one end against a shoulder 103 onthe piston. The other end of the spring bears against a nose piece 104which is threaded into the motor housing 73 at 105. The inner annularedge of the nose piece 104 forms a valve seat 106, the valve seat beingengageable by a valve anvil 107 which is connected to the rod 74 by apin 108. The nose piece 104 has an axial bore 109 which is connected bya radial bore or passageway 110 to atmosphere. There is a considerableclearance between the walls of the bore 109 and the rod 74 which passestherethrough. This clearance permits the passage of air to atmospherebetween the rod 74 and the wall of the cylinder 98.

The flow of air can be regulated by a rotary throttle valve 112 which isheld in position on the nose piece by a ring 113. The throttle valve 112which is best shown in FIG. 11 has a bias cut edge 114 normallyoverlying the radial bore 110. By rotating the valve 112 the orificeformed at the edge of the radial bore 110 can be increased or decreasedin size thereby regulating the flow of air therethrough.

The valve anvil 107 is normally urged toward the left as viewed in FIG.2 by a compression spring 115 located in a recess 116 in the forward endof the nose piece 104. The forward end of the spring bears against ashoulder 117 on the rod 74 while the rearward end of the spring 115bears against the bottom of the recess 116.

A plastic piston insert 118 on the forward end of the piston 95 reducesthe wear on the impacting surface of the piston and anvil valverespectively.

The ejector-packer may be formed in several different ways. Preferablythe element has a metallic upper end which is engaged by the bell cranklever 71. The lower end of the element which forms a packer tip has ametallic core 125 surrounded by a rubber sleeve 126. The bore 125 ispart of a pin which is threaded as at 127 in the metallic upper endportion. It should be noted that the ejector-packer element 62 is easilyremovable and can be replaced by another element having a solid rubberlower end or a metallic lower end depending upon the choice of theparticular dentist.

The receiver 21 into which the ejector-packer is mounted may be securedto the forward portion 17 of the dispenser 15 by a pivot pin 130. Theupper end of the ejector-packer is engageable by a bifurcated springcatch 131 which grips around the outside surface of the upper end of thereceiver 21 to hold it in the position shown in FIG. 1. Theejector-packer element may be enclosed in the receiver 21 by a cap 132.

Alternatively, the receiver 21 may be mounted by means of a bayonet slot135 FIG. 13, which cooperates with a pin 136 fixed in a pair of ears 137on the receiver. The bifurcated spring catch 131 holds the receiver 21in the proper position as before. The receiver is placed in position byfirst bringing it to the position in broken lines shown at 138 so thatthe pin 136 is received in the slot 135. Thereafter by pivoting thereceiver 22 clockwise, the upper end is brought into retainingengagement with the spring catch 131.

MOTOR OPERATION It should be understood that while a pneumatic motor hasbeen shown and described in the preferred form of the invention, othertypes of motors may be employed. The pneumatic motor is preferredbecause of its economy of construction and because of the availabilityof a source of air pressure and the convenience of connecting thatsource of pressure to the instrument.

In the operation of the pneumatic motor the elements are normallymaintained in the condition shown in FIG. after the amalgam has beendischarged into the cavity of the patient. In this static condition thecompression spring 102 has been compressed and urges the piston 95toward the power section 97 of the cylinder 98. The piston is preventedfrom moving in that direction by the vacuum created in the cylinder 98at the forward end of the piston. The vacuum is maintained as long asthe anvil valve 107 remains seated on valve seat 106 to prevent theingress of atmospheric air into the cylinder.

The application of a slight pressure on the lower end of ejector-packerelement 62 by forcing it against the deposited amalgam in the cavity ofthe tooth causes the bell crank lever 71 to pivot slightly in aclockwise direction. Clockwise movement of the bell crank lever forcesthe rod 74 rearwardly carrying with it the anvil valve 107 therebyventing the forward end of the cylinder 98 to atmosphere through theaxial bore 109 and the radial bore 110. The energy of the spring 102 isre leased to drive the piston 95 rearwardly. When radial passageways 100in the piston move into alignment with inlet passageway 84, air from thepressure source passes through the radial passageways 100, thelongitudinal bore 96 and into the power section 97. The incoming air isat a sufficient pressure level to overcome the resistance of compressionspring 102 and drives the piston in a forward direction until it strikesthe anvil valve 107. Upon striking the anvil valve 107 the energy of thepiston is transmitted to the rod 74 through the bell crank lever 71 tothe ejector-packer element 62. As the piston strikes the anvil valve,its radial bores are aligned with exhaust ports 101. The air pressure inpower section 97 is thereupon reduced to atmospheric. Since spring 102can overcome such a low pressure it again drives the piston into thepower section. This cycle of operations is repeated with great rapidityto provide the vibratory motion of the packer.

The vibratory force of the packer can be damped through the operation ofthe rotary control valve 112. That valve is accessible through theopening 18 in the forward portion 17 of the dispenser. Wheen the valveis rotated to close down the volume of air passing through thepassageway 110, the piston will move less rapidly in both forward andrearward directions for the speed of the movement of the piston dependsdirectly on the ability of the passageway 110 to accommodate the flow ofair to and from the forward end of cylinder 98.

It might be noted that the control knob 112 could be enlarged to projectthrough a slot in the forward portion 117 of the dispenser packer so asto be accessible without removal of the cartridge, the control knobwould be accessible for fingertip control and could be employed to stopthe operation of the pneumatic motor altogether for those instanceswherein the dentist wishes to switch to a completely manual packingoperation.

It should also be understood that the pneumatic motor could beeliminated completely and rod 61 could be extended from the ejectorlever 55 to the bell crank lever 71. Such an instrument could beprovided for the dentist who does not care to use the vibrating featureof the invention but who desires the several other advantageous featuresincluding dispensing and manual packing with one instrument.

OPERATION GENERALLY The first step in the operation is to mix up acharge of amalgam preferably with the amalgam mixer disclosed in ourco-pending application Ser. No. 145,878 filed Oct. 18, 1961 and now U.S.Pat. No. 3,222,037. There we have disclosed a straight tube into whichthe amalgam is discharged from the mixer, the straight tube forming acartridge to be mounted in a breech loading dispenser. Such a cartridgeas illustrated at 19 is snapped into position and the air pressure isturned on. Now the dentist is ready to begin the filling operation. Inthe first stage of the filling operation lever 22 is depressed through afirst angle. The downward or counterclockwise movement of the lever asviewed in FIG. 3 brings the rollers 52 secured to the lever intooperative engagement with the discharge cam surface 50 of dischargelevers 37. The movement of the rollers 52 against that surface forcesthe discharge levers to swing counterclockwise carrying the pawl 35 in aforward direction. Because the torsion spring 42 forces the pawl intoengagement with the ratchet teeth, the forward movement of the pawl willdrive the plunger 32 a distance equal to the length of one tooth.

While the rollers 52 are acting on the discharge levers 37, the camplates 64 on the operating lever are in engagement with the rollers 63of the ejector levers. However, the surface with which each roller 63 isengaged is the dwell surface 66. The dwell surface is an arc whoseradius is the distance between the surface and the pivot axis of theoperating lever 22 and as a consequence it exerts no forward pressure onthe ejector lever.

Thus, in the first stage of the operation, the plunger 32 has been movedforwardly to force a charge of amalgam into the receiver 21 but sincethe ejector lever has not moved, the ejector-packer 62 has not moveddownwardly to interfere with the introduction of the charge of amalgam.

It is a characteristic of the amalgam that the particles from which itis formed cohere. The charge therefore will adhere to the supply andwill not inadvertently drop from the receiver 21.

The device is now in condition for the second stage of the operation. Asthe lever 22 is depressed through the remainder of its angular movement,the rollers 52 move into engagement with the dwell surface 51 of eachdischarge lever 37. The dwell surface is the arc of a circle having itsradius at the pivot axis of the lever 22. Consequently, the roller 52can exert no further pressure on the discharge lever 37 so that thedischarge lever is held in a fixed position against the roller by thespring 39 and no additional amalgam is discharged into the receiver 21.The movement of the operating lever 22 through this second angle bringsthe ejector cam surfaces 65 of the plate 64 into engagement with therollers 63 on the ejector levers. The cam surface 65 forces the ejectorlever in a counterclockwise direction driving the rod and motorforwardly. The forward movement in turn pivots the bell crank lever 71in a counterclockwise direction. The leg 78 of the bell crank leverdrives the ejector-packer element 62 from the position shown in FIG. 2to the position shown in FIG. 10. The movement of the element 62 slicesoff the projecting charge of amalgam and drops it into the cavity of thetooth while at the same time wiping clean the internal surface of thereceiver 21.

When the tip of the element 62 is pressed against the amalgam, theelement moves a slight distance into the receiver 21 to pivot the bellcrank lever 71 which in turn initiates the operation of the motor asdescribed above.

If desired, at this stage or any other stage, the motor can be turnedoff by the manipulation of the valve 27 or by rotating rotary controlvalve 112 to close the passageway 110. As suggested above, the controlof the air supply could also be by means of a foot pedal not showntaking the place of the valve 27.

When the charge of amalgam has been adequately packed, the lever 22 isreleased by the operator and spring 45 forces it to pivot from theposition shown in FIG. 8 to the rest position shown in FIG. 3. As thelever moves toward the rest position, the springs 39 and 57 on thedischarge and ejector levers respectively cause those levers to returnto their normal positions shown in FIG. 3. In moving to the restposition, the discharge lever 37 carries its pawl 35 over the tooth onwhich it was seated into position on the next succeeding rearward tooth.Thus the dispenser packer is brought into condition to repeat theoperation.

When all of the amalgam has been discharged, the plunger can be returnedto its original position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by pulling on theretracting lug 30. First, however, the pawl 35 must be lifted out of thepath of the ratchet teeth 34. To this end the pawl has a tripping lip 31which rides on a corresponding tripping abutment formed by the edgecorner of the tubular portion 16 of the dispenser packer. When the leveris in its uppermost or rest position, the tripping lip 31 rides over thetripping abutment the pawl is cammed out of the way of the ratchet teeth34.

I claim:

1. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

an amalgam cartridge removably mounted on said housing,

a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from saidcartridge,

means for expelling amalgam from said cartridge into said receiverchamber,

a packer element in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam fromsaid receiver chamber, said packer element having a packing tip,

and means for moving said packer element with respect to said receiverchamber to project said packing tip beyond said chamber into operativeposition for packing while ejecting said amalgam, and

a single lever pivoted to said housing for sequentially operating saidexpelling means and said packer element.

2. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

means on said housing for receiving a supply of amalgam,

a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from said supply,

means for expelling amalgam into said receiver chamber,

a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from saidreceiver chamber,

said packer having a packing tip,

a motor mounted in said housing and connected to said packer to vibratesaid packer,

and means for moving said packer with respect to said receiver chamberto project said packing tip into operative position beyond said chamberwhile ejecting said amalgam.

3. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

means on said housing for receiving a supply of amalgam,

a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from said supply,

means for expelling amalgam into said receiver chamber,

a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from saidreceiver chamber,

said packer having a packing tip,

a motor mounted in said housing and connected to said packer to vibratesaid packer,

and means for moving said packer with respect to said receiver chamberto project said packing tip into operative position beyond said chamberwhile ejecting said amalgam, said motor being energizable uponapplication of pressure on said packing tip. 4. A combined dispenser andpacker for amalgam comprising, a handle, means on said handle forreceiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a chargeof amalgam from said supply, means for expelling amalgam into saidreceiver chamber, a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting saidamalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer having a packing tip,means for vibrating said packer, and means for moving said packer withrespect to said receiver chamber to project said packing tip beyond saidchamber into operative position for packing while ejecting said amalgam.5. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing, means on said housing for receiving a supply of amalgam, areceiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from said supply,means for expelling amalgam into said receiver chamber, a packer in saidreceiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from said receiver chamber,said packer having a packing tip, means for moving said packer withrespect to said receiver chamber to project said packing tip intooperative position beyond said said chamber while ejecting said amalgam,a pneumatic motor in said housing and connected to said packer tovibrate said packer, said pneumatic motor including a piston slidablymovable in a cylinder, said piston having a port connecting saidcylinder to atmosphere, and valve means for varying the size of saidport to vary the vibratory rate of said motor. 6. A combined dispenserand packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing, means on said housing for receiving a supply of amalgam, areceiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from said supply,means for expelling amalgam into said receiver chamber, a packer in saidreceiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from said receiver chamber,said packer having a packing tip, a pneumatic motor in said housing andconnected to said packer to vibrate said packer, means for connectingsaid motor to a source of air under pressure, means for moving saidpacker with respect to said re ceiver chamber to project said packingtip into operative position beyond said chamber while ejecting saidamalgam, said motor being energizable upon application of pressure onsaid packing tip,

and means for selectively shutting off the supply of air to said motor.

7. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a handle,

means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on saidhandle,

a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof,

an amalgam receiver having a discharge end from which amalgam is ejectedfrom the dispenser and packer,

an ejector packer slidably mounted in said receiver and projectablebeyond the discharge end of said receiver,

means mounting said receiver generally transversely of said cartridge atthe discharge end thereof,

and means including a single operating lever for operating said plungerand packer sequentially to expel amalgam from said cartridge into saidreceiver and then to eject said amalgam from said receiver.

8. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on saidhousing,

a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof,

an amalgam receiver,

an ejector packer slidably mounted in said receiver,

means mounting said receiver generally transversely of said cartridge atthe discharge end thereof,

and means for operating said plunger and packer sequentially to expelamalgam from said cartridge into said receiver and then to eject saidamalgam from said receiver,

said operating means including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted insaid housing,

said bell crank lever having a leg projecting into a recess in saidpacker,

and longitudinally movable rod means connected to said bell crank leverto pivot said bell crank lever thereby moving said ejector packer.

9. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a handle,

means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on saidhandle,

a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof,

said plunger having ratchet teeth on a portion of the surface thereof,

an amalgam receiver having a discharge end from which amalgam is ejectedfrom the dispenser and packer,

an ejector packer slidably mounted in said receiver and projectablebeyond the discharge end of said receiver,

means mounting said receiver generally transversely of said cartridge atthe discharge end thereof,

and means for operating said plunger and packer sequentially to expelamalgam from said cartridge into said receiver and then to eject saidamalgam from said receiver,

said operating means including a discharge lever,

a pawl pivotally mounted on said lever and spring urged toward saidratchet teeth,

means normally holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchetteeth,

and means for pulling said plunger away from said cartridge afteramalgam has been expelled.

10. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a handle,

means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on saidhandle,

a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof,

an amalgam receiver,

an ejector packer slidably mounted in said receiver,

means mounting said receiver generally transversely of said cartridge atthe discharge end thereof, and single lever means for operating saidplunger and packer sequentially to expel amalgam from said cartridgeinto said receiver and then to eject said amalgam from said receiver andproject said packer beyond said receiver, means including a vibratorymotor connecting said operating member to said packer. 11. A combineddispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing, means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridgeon said housing, a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expellingamalgam from one end thereof, an amalgam receiver, an ejector packerslidably mounted in said receiver,

means mounting said receiver generally transversely of said cartridge atthe discharge end thereof,

and means for operating said plunger and packer sequentially to expelamalgam from said cartridge into said receiver and then to eject saidamalgam from said receiver,

said operating means including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted insaid housing, I

said bell crank lever having a leg connected to sai packer,

and longitudinally movable rod means connected to said bell crank leverto pivot said bell crank lever thereby moving said ejector packer,

and a pneumatic motor forming a portion of said rod means.

12. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a handle,

means on said handle for receiving a supply of amalgam,

a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from said supplyand having a discharge end,

meand including a discharge cam lever pivoted on said handle forexpelling amalgam into said receiver chamber,

a packer element slidably mounted in said receiver chamber,

means including an ejector cam lever pivoted on said handle for movingsaid packer element at least to the discharge end of said receiverchamber to eject said amalgam,

and an operating lever pivoted on said handle and having two camoperators for operating said discharge lever and said ejector leversequentially. 13. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgamcomprising, a handle, means on said handle for receiving a supply ofamalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from saidsupply and having a discharge end,

means including a discharge cam lever pivoted on said handle forexpelling amalgam into said receiver chamber,

a packer element slidably mounted in said receiver chamber,

means including an ejector cam lever pivoted on said handle for movingsaid packer element at least to the discharge end of said receiverchamber to eject said amalgam,

an operating lever pivoted on said handle for operating said dischargelever and said ejector lever sequentially,

a pair of elements on said operating lever in engagement respectivelywith said discharge lever and said ejector lever,

said elements and levers having cooperating cam surfaces which, uponpivoting said operating lever effect the following sequence:

a. pivot discharge lever b. pivot ejector lever while holding saiddischarge lever.

14. A device for packing amalgam in a tooth comprising a handle, apacking tip projecting from said han- 35 dle, said packing tip includinga metallic portion terminating in a metallic core, and a resilientsleeve mounted on said core to surround said core and to expose one endthereof.

15. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

an amalgam cartridge removably mounted on said housing,

a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from saidcartridge,

means for expelling amalgam from said cartridge into said receiverchamber,

a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from saidreceiver chamber,

said packer having a packing tip,

and means, including a lever projecting transversely into the side ofsaid receiver chamber for moving said packer with respect to saidreceiver chamber to project said packer tip beyond said chamber intooperative position for packing while ejecting said amalgam,

and a single lever pivoted to said housing for sequentially operatingsaid expelling means and said packer moving means.

16. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

an amalgam cartridge removably mounted onn said 65 housing,

a receiver chamber pivotally mounted on said housing for receiving acharge of amalgam from said cartridge,

means for expelling amalgam from said cartridge into said receiverchamber,

a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from saidreceiver chamber,

said packer having a packing tip,

and means for moving said packer with respect to said receiver chamberto project said packer tip beyond said chamber into operative positionfor packing while ejecting said amalgam,

means for ejecting amalgam from said receiver chamber, said ejectingmeans including a packer member removably mounted in said receiverchamber and having a tip projectable beyond said receiver chamber intooperative position for packing. 19. A dispenser and packer according toclaim 1 in which said packing tip comprises a metallic core and aresilient sleeve mounted on said core to surround said and a singlelever pivoted to said housing for sequencore and expose one end of saidcore.

tially operating said expelling means and said packer moving means.

17. A dispenser and packer according to claim 16 in which said packer isremovably mounted in said receiver.

18. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising,

a housing,

an amalgam containing cartridge mounted on the forward end of saidhousing,

a generally cylindrical receiver chamber removably mounted adjacent saidcartridge, means for expelling amalgam from said cartridge into saidreceiver chamber, and

vibrator means for vibrating said packer element.

Patent No.

June 18, 1974 3,816,922 Dated Inventor(s) Charles J. Thiel, Louis J.Michaels It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column Column Column Column Column Column (SEAL) A ttest' MCCOY M.GIBSON JR.

Attesting Officer 6, line 20,

9., line 36, after "said," delete said 11, line 59, "meand" should bemeans l2,"line 63, "onn". should be on Signed and sealed this 1st day ofOctober 1974.

C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Eatents 1, patent No. 3,22,037 shouldbe 3,222,03'

1. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a housing, anamalgam cartridge removably mounted on said housing, a receiver chamberfor receiving a charge of amalgam from said cartridge, means forexpelling amalgam from said cartridge into said receiver chamber, apacker element in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam fromsaid receiver chamber, said packer element having a packing tip, andmeans for moving said packer element with respect to said receiverchamber to project said packing tip beyond said chamber into operativeposition for packing while ejecting said amalgam, and a single leverpivoted to said housing for sequentially operating said expelling meansand said packer element.
 1. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgamcomprising, a housing, an amalgam cartridge removably mounted on saidhousing, a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgam from saidcartridge, means for expelling amalgam from said cartridge into saidreceiver chamber, a packer element in said receiver chamber for ejectingsaid amalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer element having apacking tip, and means for moving said packer element with respect tosaid receiver chamber to project said packing tip beyond said chamberinto operative position for packing while ejecting said amalgam, and asingle lever pivoted to said housing for sequentially operating saidexpelling means and said packer element.
 2. A combined dispenser andpacker for amalgam comprising, a housing, means on said housing forreceiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a chargeof amalgam from said supply, means for expelling amalgam into saidreceiver chamber, a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting saidamalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer having a packing tip, amotor mounted in said housing and connected to said packer to vibratesaid packer, and means for moving said packer with respect to saidreceiver chamber to project said packing tip into operative positionbeyond said chamber while ejecting said amalgam.
 3. A combined dispenserand packer for amalgam comprising, a housing, means on said housing forreceiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a chargeof amalgam from said supply, means for expelling amalgam into saidreceiver chamber, a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting saidamalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer having a packing tip, amotor mounted in said housing and connected to said packer to vibratesaid packer, and means for moving said packer with respect to saidreceiver chamber to project said packing tip into operative positionbeyond said chamber while ejecting said amalgam, said motor beingenergizablE upon application of pressure on said packing tip.
 4. Acombined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a handle, means onsaid handle for receiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber forreceiving a charge of amalgam from said supply, means for expellingamalgam into said receiver chamber, a packer in said receiver chamberfor ejecting said amalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer havinga packing tip, means for vibrating said packer, and means for movingsaid packer with respect to said receiver chamber to project saidpacking tip beyond said chamber into operative position for packingwhile ejecting said amalgam.
 5. A combined dispenser and packer foramalgam comprising, a housing, means on said housing for receiving asupply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgamfrom said supply, means for expelling amalgam into said receiverchamber, a packer in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgamfrom said receiver chamber, said packer having a packing tip, means formoving said packer with respect to said receiver chamber to project saidpacking tip into operative position beyond said said chamber whileejecting said amalgam, a pneumatic motor in said housing and connectedto said packer to vibrate said packer, said pneumatic motor including apiston slidably movable in a cylinder, said piston having a portconnecting said cylinder to atmosphere, and valve means for varying thesize of said port to vary the vibratory rate of said motor.
 6. Acombined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a housing, meanson said housing for receiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamberfor receiving a charge of amalgam from said supply, means for expellingamalgam into said receiver chamber, a packer in said receiver chamberfor ejecting said amalgam from said receiver chamber, said packer havinga packing tip, a pneumatic motor in said housing and connected to saidpacker to vibrate said packer, means for connecting said motor to asource of air under pressure, means for moving said packer with respectto said receiver chamber to project said packing tip into operativeposition beyond said chamber while ejecting said amalgam, said motorbeing energizable upon application of pressure on said packing tip, andmeans for selectively shutting off the supply of air to said motor.
 7. Acombined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a handle, meansfor mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on said handle, aplunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof, an amalgam receiver having a discharge end from whichamalgam is ejected from the dispenser and packer, an ejector packerslidably mounted in said receiver and projectable beyond the dischargeend of said receiver, means mounting said receiver generallytransversely of said cartridge at the discharge end thereof, and meansincluding a single operating lever for operating said plunger and packersequentially to expel amalgam from said cartridge into said receiver andthen to eject said amalgam from said receiver.
 8. A combined dispenserand packer for amalgam comprising, a housing, means for mounting anelongated amalgam containing cartridge on said housing, a plungerinsertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from one endthereof, an amalgam receiver, an ejector packer slidably mounted in saidreceiver, means mounting said receiver generally transversely of saidcartridge at the discharge end thereof, and means for operating saidplunger and packer sequentially to expel amalgam from said cartridgeinto said receiver and then to eject said amalgam from said receiver,said operating means including a bell crank lever pivotally mounted insaid housing, said bell crank lever having a leg projecting into arecess in said packer, and longitudinally movable rod means connected tosaid bell crank lever to pivot said bell crank lever thereby moving saidejector packer.
 9. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgamcomprising, a handle, means for mounting an elongated amalgam containingcartridge on said handle, a plunger insertable into said cartridge forexpelling amalgam from one end thereof, said plunger having ratchetteeth on a portion of the surface thereof, an amalgam receiver having adischarge end from which amalgam is ejected from the dispenser andpacker, an ejector packer slidably mounted in said receiver andprojectable beyond the discharge end of said receiver, means mountingsaid receiver generally transversely of said cartridge at the dischargeend thereof, and means for operating said plunger and packersequentially to expel amalgam from said cartridge into said receiver andthen to eject said amalgam from said receiver, said operating meansincluding a discharge lever, a pawl pivotally mounted on said lever andspring urged toward said ratchet teeth, means normally holding said pawlout of engagement with said ratchet teeth, and means for pulling saidplunger away from said cartridge after amalgam has been expelled.
 10. Acombined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a handle, meansfor mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge on said handle, aplunger insertable into said cartridge for expelling amalgam from oneend thereof, an amalgam receiver, an ejector packer slidably mounted insaid receiver, means mounting said receiver generally transversely ofsaid cartridge at the discharge end thereof, and single lever means foroperating said plunger and packer sequentially to expel amalgam fromsaid cartridge into said receiver and then to eject said amalgam fromsaid receiver and project said packer beyond said receiver, meansincluding a vibratory motor connecting said operating member to saidpacker.
 11. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, ahousing, means for mounting an elongated amalgam containing cartridge onsaid housing, a plunger insertable into said cartridge for expellingamalgam from one end thereof, an amalgam receiver, an ejector packerslidably mounted in said receiver, means mounting said receivergenerally transversely of said cartridge at the discharge end thereof,and means for operating said plunger and packer sequentially to expelamalgam from said cartridge into said receiver and then to eject saidamalgam from said receiver, said operating means including a bell cranklever pivotally mounted in said housing, said bell crank lever having aleg connected to said packer, and longitudinally movable rod meansconnected to said bell crank lever to pivot said bell crank leverthereby moving said ejector packer, and a pneumatic motor forming aportion of said rod means.
 12. A combined dispenser and packer foramalgam comprising, a handle, means on said handle for receiving asupply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a charge of amalgamfrom said supply and having a discharge end, meand including a dischargecam lever pivoted on said handle for expelling amalgam into saidreceiver chamber, a packer element slidably mounted in said receiverchamber, means including an ejector cam lever pivoted on said handle formoving said packer element at least to the discharge end of saidreceiver chamber to eject said amalgam, and an operating lever pivotedon said handle and having two cam operators for operating said dischargelever and said ejector lever sequentially.
 13. A combined dispenser andpacker for amalgam comprising, a handle, means on said handle forreceiving a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber for receiving a chargeof amalgam from said supPly and having a discharge end, means includinga discharge cam lever pivoted on said handle for expelling amalgam intosaid receiver chamber, a packer element slidably mounted in saidreceiver chamber, means including an ejector cam lever pivoted on saidhandle for moving said packer element at least to the discharge end ofsaid receiver chamber to eject said amalgam, an operating lever pivotedon said handle for operating said discharge lever and said ejector leversequentially, a pair of elements on said operating lever in engagementrespectively with said discharge lever and said ejector lever, saidelements and levers having cooperating cam surfaces which, upon pivotingsaid operating lever effect the following sequence: a. pivot dischargelever b. pivot ejector lever while holding said discharge lever.
 14. Adevice for packing amalgam in a tooth comprising a handle, a packing tipprojecting from said handle, said packing tip including a metallicportion terminating in a metallic core, and a resilient sleeve mountedon said core to surround said core and to expose one end thereof.
 15. Acombined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, a housing, anamalgam cartridge removably mounted on said housing, a receiver chamberfor receiving a charge of amalgam from said cartridge, means forexpelling amalgam from said cartridge into said receiver chamber, apacker in said receiver chamber for ejecting said amalgam from saidreceiver chamber, said packer having a packing tip, and means, includinga lever projecting transversely into the side of said receiver chamberfor moving said packer with respect to said receiver chamber to projectsaid packer tip beyond said chamber into operative position for packingwhile ejecting said amalgam, and a single lever pivoted to said housingfor sequentially operating said expelling means and said packer movingmeans.
 16. A combined dispenser and packer for amalgam comprising, ahousing, an amalgam cartridge removably mounted onn said housing, areceiver chamber pivotally mounted on said housing for receiving acharge of amalgam from said cartridge, means for expelling amalgam fromsaid cartridge into said receiver chamber, a packer in said receiverchamber for ejecting said amalgam from said receiver chamber, saidpacker having a packing tip, and means for moving said packer withrespect to said receiver chamber to project said packer tip beyond saidchamber into operative position for packing while ejecting said amalgam,and a single lever pivoted to said housing for sequentially operatingsaid expelling means and said packer moving means.
 17. A dispenser andpacker according to claim 16 in which said packer is removably mountedin said receiver.
 19. A dispenser and packer according to claim 1 inwhich said packing tip comprises a metallic core and a resilient sleevemounted on said core to surround said core and expose one end of saidcore.
 20. A dental instrument comprising, a housing, supply means onsaid housing for holding a supply of amalgam, a receiver chamber on saidhousing, means for expelling amalgam into said receiver chamber fromsaid supply means, a packer element having a packing tip in saidreceiver chamber, means for moving said packer element with respect tosaid reCeiver chamber to project said packing tip into operativeposition beyond said receiver chamber while ejecting said amalgam, andvibrator means for vibrating said packer element.